BARCELONA: Lionel Messi’s Barcelona career has come to an end because the cash-strapped Spanish club cannot afford to keep the Argentinian superstar, club president Joan Laporta said Friday.
In a dramatic news conference, Laporta said he was not prepared “to put the club at risk” by renewing Messi’s contract, with Barca facing huge financial problems ahead of the start of La Liga on Aug 15.
Laporta said Barcelona were no longer negotiating with Messi and the 34-year-old forward was considering other offers.
“Yesterday we realised it was over. I had the last conversation with Leo’s father,” said Laporta.
“I do not want to give false hope. The player has other offers and there is a time limit…
